Personal Style Defined.

Cover Me

Fashion is not only about inventive clothing and rock star designers, sometimes sheer personality eclipses fashion. Lupita Nyong’o is that current personality. If you don’t know her yet, your living under a rock, especially if you follow fashion. In the film world, Nyong’o has already won their top award. And now she is receiving fashion’s most coveted award–Vogue Cover Girl.

Seems like Vogue has been pushing out controversial cover after cover, although fashion has been parsing Nyong’o for a while now,so I guess she is finally getting her recognition.

When I was 16 my friends told me I should start a blog about fashion, because I was fashion obsessed, if I had, maybe I would be a lot further in my fashion career. Anyway, enough about me. I state my past because when I was 16 another Black female fashion star had centre stage–Alex Wek. I didn’t have a blog then, so I could not comment. I allude to Wek not because I want to compare the two, but challenge fashion’s motivation about beauty.

Alek WekAlek WekAlek Wek

Women around the world have embraced Lupita for her effervescent personality, amazing acting skills, and striking use of fashion. Designers like to showcase dresses on Lupita for her flash bulb grabbing skills. What disappoints me is that the fashion community only latches to a women like Lupita when it is useful for them, or she an anointed. Example, Alek Wek. When Karl Lagerfeld used Wek in his runways shows, the rest of the community followed. Lagerfeld is not my favourite designer, but I must say he has an eye for original beauty.

Met GalaLupita Nyong’o

Original beauty? The beauty is original because it is outside of the norm. I would say this is a bad thing, but in some respect it highlights minorities in fashion. In my next post I will be continuing my ongoing discussion about original beauty. For now I want to say that Lupita’s photos are amazing!!! The Queen of talk herself has graced the cover of Vogue, and said it was one of her favourite fashion moments. Therefore, I must say, “Lupita enjoy your time in the spotlight, because fashion will be marching forward soon.” Good thing she has acting chops to fall back on when modelling is done.

I was doing some research for Tokyo Fashion Week, and I came across one of the coolest collections–FACETASM. I love when I find new things. This Spring I was obsessed with Rick Owens and Givenchy, but Facetasm seems to blend everything I love about both of those collections into one. Also, “hello,” everyone knows I love a scarf, and these are awesome!!

I’ve always felt that fashion today flows from Tokyo street style, into Paris Couture, and then New York mainstream. Milan is always doing its thing on the edge. When I spend time in Japan, I am always amazed that I can wear anything. New York street style is very edgy, like Tokyo, but there is something to Tokyo that is outrageous. Case and point, I am walking down the streets of Shibuya and this girl is waiting for her boyfriend to apply his make-up — flabbergasted! Anyway, I am not here debate “New York Street Style” and “Tokyo Street Style,” both are very unique and amazing to me.

The Facetasm collection designed by Hiromichi Ochiai, did a great job blending street style into a streamlined collection that is sophisticated and wearable. When a collection pushes the limits of style while keeping it wearable is always refreshing. Fashion produces so many collections, but for the average consumer most looks are not practical. This collection has some great fashion and style elements. Created for both men and women, this collection has wonderful points for all. I hope you will find as much inspiration from this collection as I did.

Want some tips on how to be photographed by your favorite blogger, here we go. Use these street shots from (The Sartorialist) Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2012 as inspiration.

Source: The Sartorialist

First, get creative: Photographers want to be excited. They comb the streets and stake out fashion venues to find cool fashionistas, so standing out from the crowd will help you get snapped.

Source: The SartorialistSource: The Sartorialist

Second, get comfy: Your style needs to be effortless. Photographers can sense when someone is just putting on a show for attention. You want your style to be imprinted with personality. That will get shutter bugs to shoot.

Source: The SartorialistSource: The Sartorialist

Three, get a life: You want to enjoy your city, travel, and cultivate your passion for life. Photographers need a face that tells a story. Pretty and fashionable is not enough. You want to intrigue your audience with something hidden. Blog photographers capture people out on the streets during their daily routine, so getting out helps your chances of being snapped.

Source: The SartorialistSource: The Sartorialist

For extra style tips check out my post with Jen V., she gets her photo snapped all the time.

During NYFW Fall 2012, J.Mendel gave us a big show. Front row seats were full of celebrity guests. Fashionable noted, two sunglass clad twins. Also spotted front row was fashion commentator and stylist, Mary Alice Stephenson. I got a chance to speak with fashion’s globe-trotting Queen backstage at J.Mendel.

For this year’s Academy Awards red carpet breakdown, Wendy Williams called on Stephenson. She has also dressed major celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, and she is a major contributor to Harper’s Bazzaar, so I knew I was in good hands talking about the inspiration for the J.Mendel show. Minus her credentials, I may have been a little taken by all her compliments to my outfit.

J.Mendel Fall 2012J.Mendel Fall 2012J.Mendel Fall 2012

Kristen Wigg won Oscar gold in J.Mendel this year. J.Mendel is known for amazing furs and modern evening wear, which did not disappoint. I picked a few pieces to highlight Fall 2012.